Dual purpose wearable patch for measurement and treatment

ABSTRACT

A dual purpose wearable patch includes a stretchable and permeable substrate, a sensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the sensing unit can conduct a measurement of a user to produce a measurement signal, one or more electrodes respectively attached to the stretchable and permeable substrate, a circuit substrate on the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the circuit substrate includes a circuit electrically connected with the one or more electrodes and the sensing unit, and a semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit substrate and in connection with the circuit. The semiconductor chip can receive the measurement signal from the sensing unit and can produce a treatment control signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user&#39;s body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to wearable electronic devices, and inparticular, to wearable patches that can attach to human skin.

Electronic patches can be used for tracking objects and for performingfunctions such as producing sound, light or vibrations, and so on. Asapplications and human needs become more sophisticated and complex,electronic patches are required to perform a rapidly increasing numberof tasks. Electronic patches are often required to be conformal tocurved surfaces, which in the case of human body, can vary overtime.

Electronic patches can communicate with smart phones and other devicesusing WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and otherwireless technologies. NFC is a wireless communication standard thatenables two devices to quickly establish communication within a shortrange around radio frequency of 13.56 MHz. NFC is more secure than otherwireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi because NFC requirestwo devices in close proximity (e.g. less than 10 cm). NFC can alsolower cost comparing to other wireless technologies by allowing one ofthe two devices to be passive (a passive NFC tag).

Bluetooth is another wireless communication standard for exchanging dataover relatively longer distances (in tens of meters). It employs shortwavelength UHF radio waves from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz from fixed or mobiledevices. Bluetooth devices have evolved to meet the increasing demandfor low-power solutions that is required for wearable electronics.Benefited from relatively longer reading distance and activecommunication, Bluetooth technologies allow wearable patches tocontinuously monitoring vital information without human interference,which is an advantage over NFC in many applications.

Wearable patch (or tag) is an electronic patch to be worn by a user. Awearable patch is required to stay on user's skin and operate for anextended period of time from hours to months. A wearable patch cancontain a micro-electronic system that can be accessed using NFC,Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless technologies. A wearable patch can beintegrated with different sensors for measurements such as vital signsmonitoring.

Traditionally, treatments can be conducted on patients using probes wireconnected with heavy immobile equipment. For example, CranialElectrotherapy Stimulation (CES) utilizes extremely small levels ofelectrical stimulation across the head of a patient for therapeutictreatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic pain.

There is therefore a need for convenient measurement of a patient'svital signs and other signals and treatment of the patient's symptoms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosure discloses a dual-purpose wearable device thatcan conveniently measure a patient's vital signs and other signals andtreat the patient's symptoms. The disclosed wearable patch is easy andcomfortable to wear by patients and do not require wire connections toheavy equipment.

Moreover, measurements and treatments can be conducted by the discloseddual-purpose wearable patch while a patient fulfills his or her normaldaily activities. Thus treatments can be timely and dynamically appliedwhich such needs arise according to measurements of vital body signalsand other signals.

Furthermore, effects of treatments can be immediately monitored by thedual-purpose wearable patch after it applies treatment.

In one general aspect, the present invention relates to a dual purposewearable patch that includes a stretchable and permeable substrate; asensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, whereinthe sensing unit is configured to conduct a measurement of a user toproduce a measurement signal; one or more electrodes respectivelyattached to the stretchable and permeable substrate; a circuit substrateon the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the circuitsubstrate comprises a circuit electrically connected with the one ormore electrodes and the sensing unit; and a semiconductor chip mountedon the circuit substrate and in connection with the circuit, wherein thesemiconductor chip is configured to receive the measurement signal fromthe sensing unit, wherein the semiconductor chip can produce a treatmentcontrol signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltageacross the user's body.

Implementations of the system may include one or more of the following.The semiconductor chip can produce a treatment control signal to controlthe one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user's body inresponse to a measurement signal. The dual-purpose wearable patch canfurther include a battery configured to supply power to the circuit andthe semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip can switch the circuit,the one or more electrodes, and the sensing unit into or off from ameasurement mode and a treatment mode. The one or more electrodes caninclude a second electrode and a third electrode configured to apply avoltage across the user's body. The sensing unit can include atemperature sensor configured to measure the user's skin temperature,wherein the measurement signal comprises temperature data. The sensingunit can further include a thermally conductive cup having a bottomportion mounted in a first opening in the stretchable and permeablesubstrate, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned inside and is inthermal conduction cup with the conductive cup. The sensing unit caninclude a thermally conductive adhesive that fixes the temperaturesensor to an inner surface of the conductive cup, and a thermallyinsulating material in a top portion of the conductive cup. The sensingunit can include an accelerometer configured to measure movement of theuser. The sensing unit can include a pressure sensor or a force sensorconfigured to measure blood pressure or pulse of the user. Thesemiconductor chip can control a type, a frequency, or a duration of ameasurement of the user by the sensing unit based on the voltage appliedacross the user's body. The dual purpose wearable patch can furtherinclude an antenna mounted on the circuit substrate and in electricconnection with the semiconductor chip, wherein the semiconductor chipis configured to produce electric signals to enable the antenna towirelessly exchange measurement data based on the measurement signalwith an external device, wherein the semiconductor chip can produceelectric signals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange treatmentdata with an external device, wherein the treatment control signal is atleast in part based on the treatment data. At least one of the one ormore electrodes can include an electrically conductive cup that iselectrically connected to the control circuit in the circuit substrate,wherein the stretchable and permeable substrate comprises a secondopening in which the electrically conductive cup is mounted. Theelectrically conductive cup can be electrically connected with thecircuit. The dual-purpose wearable patch can further include an adhesivelayer between the stretchable and permeable substrate and the circuitsubstrate. The dual-purpose wearable patch can further include anelastic layer formed on the stretchable and permeable substrate, thecircuit substrate, and the sensing unit. The sensing unit includes anaccelerometer can measure the user's movement, wherein the measurementsignal comprises movement data. The sensing unit can include a pressuresensor or a force sensor configured to measure the user's blood pressureand/or the user's pulse, wherein the measurement signal comprises pulsedata and blood pressure data.

These and other aspects, their implementations and other features aredescribed in detail in the drawings, the description and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates dual-purpose wearable patches attached to a user'sskin.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplified dual-purpose wearablepatch for both measurement and treatment in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an exemplified sensing unitin the dual-purpose wearable patch of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, one or more dual-purpose wearable patches 100, 101are attached to the skin of a user 110 for measuring body vital signs.The dual-purpose wearable patch 100 can be placed on the ears, theforehead, the hands, the shoulder, the waist, the leg, or the foot,under the armpit, around the wrist, on or around the arm, or other partsof a user's body. In the present disclosure, the term “wearable patch”can also be referred to as “wearable sticker”, “wearable tag”, or“wearable band”, etc.

As discussed in more detail below, dual-purpose wearable patches 100,101 can operate individually, or in a group to provide certain desiredtreatment or measurement. For example, the purpose wearable patch 101can wrap around a user's ear for applying an electric field throughcertain location of the ear. Similar, the disclosed purpose wearablepatch can wrap around a user's wrist for providing treatment andmeasurement. Moreover, the dual-purpose wearable patches 100, 101 can beattached to different parts of a user's body such as on the two ears orthe two temples of the user 100, which allows a low electric voltagesignal to be applied across the user's head.

In accordance to the present invention, the disclosed dual-purposewearable patch includes a treatment portion and a measurement portion.The measurement portion can measure vital signs, motion track, skintemperature, and ECG signals. The treatment portion can apply electricalsignals, heat, and sometimes force or pressure to user's body.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplifieddual-purpose wearable patch 200 includes a stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205 that include openings 210A, 210B, 210C. The stretchableand permeable substrate 205 can be made of soft foam materials such asEVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF or fabric textile, to providestretchability and breathability. The measurement portion of thedisclosed dual-purpose wearable patch 200 includes a sensing unit 300mounted in the opening 210C. The treatment portion of the discloseddual-purpose wearable patch 200 includes two electrodes 212A, 212B,respectively comprising electrically conductive cups 213A, 213B, aremounted in the openings 210A, 210B. A circuit substrate 216 and abattery 225 are bonded to the stretchable and permeable substrate 205 byan adhesive layer 215 pre-laminated on the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205. A semiconductor chip 220 and an antenna 230 are mountedon the circuit substrate 216. The circuit substrate 216 includes anelectric circuit therein, which can for example be implemented with aprinted circuit board.

The thermal conductive cup 302 in the sensing unit 300 is electricallyconnected with the circuit substrate 216 by a conductive line 240, whichin turn establishes electrical communication between the thermalconductive cup 302 and the semiconductor chip 220.

An elastic layer 250 is also bonded to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205 by the adhesive layer 215 to the stretchable and permeablesubstrate 205. The elastic layer 250 is also formed on the circuitsubstrate 216, the sensing unit 300, and the electrodes 212A, 212B. Theelastic layer 250 can be formed by soft stretchable and permeable foammaterials such as EVA, PE, CR, PORON, EPD, SCF, or fabric textile. Athin film 260 is formed on the elastic layer 250 for protection andcosmetic purposes.

In usage, an adhesive material formed on the lower surface of thestretchable and permeable substrate 205 is attached the user's skin, sothat the bottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 is in tight contactwith a user's skin to accurately measure temperature, electrical, orpressure signals from the user's skin, or apply electrical, thermal, ormechanical signals to the user's skin. The semiconductor chip 220receives an electric signal from the temperature sensor 301 in responseto a temperature measurement of the user's skin.

The Treatment Portion

In some embodiments, the electrically conductive cups 213A, 213B in theelectrodes 212A, 212B are respectively electrically connected to theelectric circuit in the circuit substrate 216 by conductive lines 214A,214B (e.g. flexible ribbons embedded with conductive circuits). Inaccordance with the present application, the electrodes 212A, 212B canalso be implemented in other configurations such as conductive pins,conductive pads, conductive buttons, or conductive strips. Thesemiconductor chip 220 can produce treatment electric signals, which canbe amplified by an amplifier (not shown in FIG. 2) with power suppliedby the battery 225, which is sent to the electrodes 212A, 212B via theconductive lines 214A, 214B.

In some embodiments, the electric voltage (typically in low amplitude)generated across the electrodes 212A, 212B is applied to the user's skinfor therapeutic treatment. For example, such Cranial ElectrotherapyStimulation treatment can be applied across the electrode in onedisclosed dual purpose wearable patch across a user's ear lobe (e.g. 101in FIG. 1) or across a user's wrist. In another example, electricalvoltage signals can be applied across electrodes in two discloseddual-purpose wearable patches (e.g. 100, 101 in FIG. 1). In this case, athin conductive wire behind the user's neck can be tethered to the twodual-purpose wearable patches to provide proper ground for the voltagesignals.

The semiconductor chip 220 can communicate with an external device suchas a mobile phone or a computer via the antenna 230 in wireless signals.For example, the semiconductor chip 220 can receive a treatment planfrom the external device. The wireless signal can be based on usingWiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wirelessstandards. The semiconductor chip 220 can general the treatment electricsignals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes as defined in thetreatment plan.

When the dual-purpose wearable patch 200 is worn by a user, the antenna230 is separated from the user's skin by the circuit substrate 216 andthe stretchable and permeable substrate 205, which minimizes the impactof the user's body on the transmissions of wireless signals by theantenna 230.

Dynamic Treatment

In some embodiments, the semiconductor chip 220 can general thetreatment electric signals at durations, intervals, and amplitudes basedon the measurement data obtained from the sensing unit 300, as describedbelow. For example, the electrotherapy stimulation treatment can beadjusted based on the user's skin temperature, heartbeats, and bloodpressure measured by the sensing unit 300. User's bio vital signals mayindicate user's stress levels, which can be treated by appropriatewaveforms of electrical signals.

The Measurement Portion

In some embodiments, in the measurement portion of the discloseddual-purpose wearable patch 200, the sensing unit 300 includes atemperature sensor 301 in a thermal conductive cup 302, which has itsbottom portion mounted into the large opening 210C and fixed to thestretchable and permeable substrate 205 by an adhesive. The temperaturesensor 301 is electrically connected to the electric circuit in thecircuit substrate 216 by a flexible conductive ribbon 303. Referring toFIG. 3, the bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup 302 protrudesout of the lower surface of the stretchable and permeable substrate 205.The lips of the thermal conductive cup 302 near its top portion arefixedly attached or bonded to bonding pads (not shown) on thestretchable and permeable substrate 205 by soldering or with anadhesive. The thermal conductive cup 302 is both thermally andelectrically conductive. The thermal conductive cup 302 can be made of athermally conductive metallic or alloy material such as copper,stainless steel, ceramic or carbide composite materials.

The temperature sensor 301 is attached to an inner surface near thebottom of the thermal conductive cup 302. The temperature sensor 301 canbe implemented, for example, by a thermistor, a Resistor TemperatureDetector, or a Thermocouple. The temperature sensor 301 is in thermalconduction with the thermal conductive cup 302. When an outer surface ofthe bottom portion of the thermal conductive cup 302 is in contact witha user's skin, the thermal conductive cup 302 thus effectively transfersheat from a user's skin to the temperature sensor 301. A flexibleconductive ribbon 303 is connected to the temperature sensor 301 in thethermal conductive cup 302 and to the electric circuit in thestretchable and permeable substrate 205.

The temperature sensor 301 can send an electric signal to thesemiconductor chip 220 via the electric circuit in response to ameasured temperature. The semiconductor chip 220 processes the electricsignal and output another electrical signal which enables the antenna230 to transmit a wireless signal carrying the measurement data toanother external device such as a mobile phone or a computer (itswireless signals, as described below, can be boosted by a charging andwireless boosting station). The wireless signal can be based on usingWiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and other wirelessstandards. The battery 225 powers the semiconductor chip 220, theantenna 230, the first and the second electric circuits, and possiblythe temperature sensor 301.

The temperature sensor 301 can be fixed to an inner surface at thebottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 by a thermally conductiveadhesive 304, which allows effective heat transfer from the bottom ofthe thermal conductive cup 302 to the temperature sensor 301. Examplesof the thermally conductive adhesive 304 can include electricallyinsulative thermally-conductive epoxies and polymers. A thermallyinsulating material 305 filling the top portion of the thermalconductive cup 302 fixes the thermally-conductive adhesive 304 at thebottom of the thermal conductive cup 302 and reduces heat loss from thetemperature sensor 301 to the elastic layer (described below) or theenvironment. The flexible conductive ribbon 303 can be bent and laid outalong the wall the thermal conductive cup 302.

Further details of the sensing unit are disclosed in the commonlyassigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/224,121“Wearable thermometer patch for accurate measurement of human skintemperature”, filed Jul. 29, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit 300 includes an accelerometer thatcan measure acceleration and movement of the user. In some embodiments,the sensing unit 300 includes a pressure sensor or a force sensor thatcan measure the user's pulses or blood pressure during or outsidetreatments.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit 300 includes one or moreelectrodes for measuring ECG signals. The electrode can for example bestructured in an electrically conductive cup similar to the thermalconductive cup 302 described above. The ECG signal (voltage) can bemeasured across two of the electrodes or across one of the electrodesand one of the electrodes 212A, 212B (used as ground). In particular,the ECG signals can be measured when the electrotherapy simulationtreatment is not conducted.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit 300 can include multiple sensorsfor temperature, movement, blood pressure, and pulse measurements.

Dynamic Measurement

In some embodiments, the semiconductor chip 220 can control the type(s)and frequencies of the measurement(s) by the sensing unit 300 inresponse to the types of treatment applied. For example, based on thedurations, intervals, and amplitudes of the treatment electric signals,the frequencies, the durations and the type(s) of the measurement(s) canbe varied to more accurately and more timely monitor the user's healthconditions.

Mode Switching

The semiconductor chip 220 can control the circuit to switch the sensingunit 300 and the electrodes 210A, 210B into or off from a measurementmode, or into or off from a treatment mode. The mode switching can bespecified in the treatment plan received from an external device, ordynamically adjusted according to the user's vital signals andresponsiveness to treatment.

Personalized Medicine

Since the disclosed dual-purpose wearable patch is worn by an individualpatient, the disclosed dual-purpose patch is ideal for personalizedmedical treatment. Each treatment plan download into the discloseddual-purpose wearable patch can be individualized according to thepatient's needs.

Moreover, the disclosed dual-purpose wearable patch can significantlyenhance the effectiveness of individualized treatments for patients. Inparticular, treatments can be dynamically adjusted according to thecurrent condition of the user as indicated by the bio vital signalscurrently measured from the user.

Other details about wearable patches capable of performing measurementand charging functions are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/423,585, titled “A wearable patch comprisingthree electrodes for measurement and charging”, filed Feb. 3, 2017,commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/406,380, titled “Awearable thermometer patch for correct measurement of human skintemperature”, filed Jan. 13, 2017, and commonly assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/414,549, titled “A wearable thermometer patchfor measuring temperature and electrical signals”, filed Jan. 24, 2017.The disclosures in the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

The disclosed dual-purpose wearable patch is stretchable, compliant,durable, and comfortable to wear by users. The disclosed wearablethermometer patch includes a flexible substrate covered and protected byan elastic layer that increases the flexibility and stretchability.

Another advantage of the disclosed dual-purpose wearable patch is thatit can significantly increase wireless communication range by placingthe antenna on the upper surface of the circuit substrate. The thicknessof the substrate as well as the height of the thermally conductive cupcan be selected to allow enough distance between the antenna and theuser's skin to minimize interference of user's body to the wirelesstransmission signals.

While this document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed orof what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specificto particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in thisdocument in the context of separate embodiments can also be implementedin combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

Only a few examples and implementations are described. Otherimplementations, variations, modifications and enhancements to thedescribed examples and implementations may be made without deviatingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable patch, comprising: a stretchablesubstrate; two electrodes respectively attached to the stretchablesubstrate, wherein the two electrodes are configured to be in electricalcontact with the user's skin and to apply a voltage across the user'sbody, wherein at least one of the two electrodes includes an upperportion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is configured tobe in electrical contact with the user's skin; a circuit substrate onthe stretchable substrate, wherein the circuit substrate comprises acircuit electrically connected with the two electrodes; and asemiconductor chip mounted on the circuit substrate and in connectionwith the circuit, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured toproduce a treatment control signal to control the two electrodes toapply a voltage across the user's body.
 2. The wearable patch of claim1, wherein at least one of the two electrodes comprises an electricallyconductive cup electrically connected with the circuit, wherein thestretchable substrate comprises a first opening in which theelectrically conductive cup is mounted.
 3. The wearable patch of claim2, wherein the electrically conductive cup comprises a bottom portionconfigured to be in contact with the user's skin.
 4. The wearable patchof claim 1, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce atreatment control signal to control the two electrodes to apply avoltage across the user's body in response to a measurement signal. 5.The wearable patch of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna mounted onthe circuit substrate and in electric connection with the semiconductorchip, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce electricsignals to enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange treatment data withan external device, wherein the treatment control signal is at least inpart based on the treatment data.
 6. The wearable patch of claim 1,further comprising: a sensing unit mounted in the stretchable substrateand electrically connected with the circuit, wherein the sensing unit isconfigured to conduct a measurement of a user to produce a measurementsignal, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to receive themeasurement signal from the sensing unit,
 7. The wearable patch of claim6, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce a treatmentcontrol signal to control the two electrodes to apply a voltage acrossthe user's body in conjunction with the measurement conducted by thesensing unit.
 8. The wearable patch of claim 6, wherein the sensing unitincludes a bottom portion adapted to be in direct contact with a user'sskin
 9. The wearable patch of claim 6, wherein the sensing unitcomprises a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the bottomportion to conduct the measurement of a user to produce the measurementsignal.
 10. The wearable patch of claim 9, wherein the sensing unitfurther includes a thermally conductive cup having the bottom portionmounted in a second opening in the stretchable substrate, wherein thetemperature sensor is positioned inside and is in thermal conduction cupwith the conductive cup, wherein the bottom portion of the thermallyconductive cup is configured to be in contact with the user's skin. 11.The wearable patch of claim 10, wherein the sensing unit comprises: athermally-conductive adhesive that fixes the temperature sensor to aninner surface of the conductive cup; and a thermally insulating materialin a top portion of the conductive cup.
 12. The wearable patch of claim9, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure the user'sskin temperature, wherein the measurement signal comprises temperaturedata.
 13. The wearable patch of claim 6, wherein the sensing unitincludes an accelerometer configured to measure the user's movement,wherein the measurement signal comprises movement data.
 14. The wearablepatch of claim 6, wherein the sensing unit includes a pressure sensor ora force sensor configured to measure the user's blood pressure and/orthe user's pulse, wherein the measurement signal comprises pulse dataand blood pressure data.
 15. The wearable patch of claim 6, wherein thesensing unit includes a first electrode that is configured to measure anelectrical signal from the user's body in conjunction with the twoelectrodes attached to the stretchable substrate.
 16. The wearable patchof claim 6, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to switch thecircuit, the two electrodes, and the sensing unit into or off from ameasurement mode and a treatment mode.
 17. The wearable patch of claim6, wherein the sensing unit includes an accelerometer configured tomeasure movement of the user.
 18. The wearable patch of claim 6, whereinthe sensing unit includes a pressure sensor or a force sensor configuredto measure blood pressure or pulse of the user.
 19. The wearable patchof claim 6, wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to control thesensing unit based on the voltage applied across the user's body,wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to vary a frequency, or aduration of the measurement by the sensing unit.
 20. The wearable patchof claim 6, further comprising: an antenna mounted on the circuitsubstrate and in electric connection with the semiconductor chip,wherein the semiconductor chip is configured to produce electric signalsto enable the antenna to wirelessly exchange measurement data based onthe measurement signal with an external device.